9-24-2000 Bill Nee Presentation Bill Nee Presentation 9-24-00
As we unveil our plans to establish a long, overdue
community memorial, it make sense to say a few words
about our former Mayor of Fridley, Bill Nee. He would
have liked this idea. He never liked pretense and he didn't
spend much time worrying about what building, park or
street would be named for him. His focus was not personal
benefit but on community and the development of Fridley
as a quality place to live. He also stuck up for the little guy
all his life and was very egalitarian in his view toward
society. What is more egalitarian than a shrine that gives
equal opportunity to everybody?
Bill was a big guy in heart and spirit. He was one of a few
people who chose to embrace the whole community rather
than his personal needs or the needs of a segment of our
Fridley society. His interest in Fridley was manifest in a
long history of energetic leadership that brought many good
things to our community. He led Fridley back from the
1965 tornado. He is also remembered for his work in
establishing the Fridley Housing and Redevelopment
Authority and his role in redeveloping Fridley's City Center
through projects such as the Target Operations Center and
Christenson Crossing, the 188 unit town home project that
was built during Bill's last year as Mayor. While Bill left
office before the Medtronic project was started, he will be
remembered for his vision that led the City to acquire the
"old theater site" and for his insistence in staying the course
toward development of the site as a corporate office center.
Bill's legacy also includes many Fridley parks that were
started through his efforts. He was instrumental in the
acquisition of Locke Park and Islands of Peace Park. He is
regarded as the founding father of the Springbrook Nature
Center. He also worked actively for the development of
Community Park and Riverview Heights Park. And he
promoted and supported our annual parks capital
improvement programs.
Bill was also a cable television pioneer in Fridley who
insisted on local regulation of cable television as well as a
fair return for the City from the cable company's use of
City streets. Through his efforts, money from the cable
company was used to support public access, educational
and governmental television programming.
The Bill Nee legacy exists in many other efforts. He was
instrumental in establishing Fridley's "Sister City" program
with Fourmies, France. Over the years, he supported
student exchanges and hosted numerous visits from
delegations of Fourmies citizens and officials. In 1994, Bill
and Kay traveled to Fourmies to celebrate the fiftieth
anniversary of the City's liberation from German
occupation. As Fridley hosts future delegations from
Fourmies, Bill's absence will be a cause for sadness; but,
his spirit will continue to fire the relationship between the
two communities.
In addition to his contributions as Mayor of Fridley, Bill
Nee also served the broader community. Many remember
him for his strong leadership of the Anoka County
Community Action Program (ACCAP ) and for his
participation on the Mississippi National Recreation Area
Coordination Committee. Bill also belonged to a wide
variety of other community organizations including the
Fridley VFW, the League of Women Voters, the Fridley
Chamber of Commerce and the North Metro Mayors
Association.
In addition to being known for his leadership and active
community involvement, Bill is also remembered as a man
of many remarkable personal qualities. He was a great
communicator who listened intently and patiently and who
spoke the people's language. He was a problem solver and a
team player who kept his eye on the issues and who did not
allow personal agendas to interfere with problem
resolution.. He was wise and knowledgeable. He read
extensively and listened to a wide network of friends who
were involved in government at all levels. He was a man of
strong character who gave unselfishly without expectation
of personal gain. While he was politically astute, he treated
people fairly. His words were always consistent with his
actions. There was no guessing where Bill Nee stood on
issues from day to day. He led through his ideals and not
through his sense of personal need.
Bill Nee loved his community and sought to use his
tremendous talents to make it a better place for all Fridley
residents. Our community is truly a better place because of
him. His legacy is large and he sets a high standard for
enrollment on this memorial.